Gabbidon Aims For Run Of Games

Danny Gabbidon is targeting an extended run in the Crystal Palace starting line-up after netting his first league goal in eight years against Leicester.

The Welsh centre-back opened the scoring with a rare strike at Selhurst Park on Saturday, heading past Kasper Schmeichel on 25 minutes.

As well as ending his own personal goal scoring drought, Gabbidon’s first goal for the Eagles since joining in September last year was the club’s first in five league games.

It put Palace on course for a 2-2 draw against their fellow play-off hopefuls – a result that leaves the club in fifth place with three games to go.

And 33-year-old Gabbidon told Palace Player he was “surprised” to get on the score sheet.

He said: “The gaffer’s been saying we need to start sharing the goals around. Muzza’s scored a lot of goals this season and there haven’t maybe been enough from the defence and the midfield.

“We worked a bit on set pieces this week. The gaffer’s said a lot about set pieces and how vital they are and it was nice to get on the end of one and see it go in.

“I was a little bit surprised actually to see it go in, but it was a nice feeling.”

Gabbidon has been limited to just seven league appearances since moving to Selhurst Park on a free transfer.

But the former QPR, West Ham and Cardiff City defender is hoping his performance against Leicester will lead to more first team action.

“As a footballer you always want to play,” Gabbidon added.

“It’s been a stop-start kind of season for me. I joined late and the team was doing really well and I couldn’t really get in the team which was understandable, and when I did I played a few games then ended up getting injured which was disappointing.

“It’s been a bit of an up and down season but the lads have been fantastic. But I’d like to stay in the team if I can.”